Among Rangers’ mostly good results lately and some impressive performances, one man does seem have been largely forgotten, both by the manager and, now, by the fans, for the most part.
Greg Docherty, having returned amidst such high hopes this summer, has seen his playtime and minutes reduce dramatically over the course of the season, so much so that his last outing was for the dev squad in September.
Completely axed from the first team league fixture, Docherty was unable even to get a mention when Joe Aribo was out injured, and his last ‘significant’ presence in Rangers side was the dreadfully disappointing win over East Fife in which only a few players could hold their heads high come full time.
Unfortunately Docherty wasn’t one of them, but regardless, he’s been seen zero times since, and it’s become pretty clear by this point that the former Hamilton man isn’t a player Steven Gerrard likes.
That accusation has been made about other players, but they’ve frequently found themselves benched or making cameos – fringe players who at least get a seat on the sidelines.
Docherty has simply been 100% erased from the first-team squad and Gerrard cycles between Kamara, Jack, Arfield, Davis and Aribo as his main five for the squad.
Andy King, on loan from Leicester, may have been injured of late but even HE is preferred benchwise to Docherty and gets frequent 5-10 minute cameos now and then.
But Docherty is nowhere to be seen, and unlike, for example, Nikola Katic, who at worst had to sit on the bench last season, Docherty doesn’t appear to have a pathway to the frontlines at all.
He’d have known he was in trouble in 2018, when his manager put him out on loan at Shrewsbury and instead signed two loans of the same age in Lassana Coulibaly and Ovie Ejaria.
And despite his stunning season down south where he matched or even exceeded big summer signing Joe Aribo, Docherty just isn’t part of Stevie’s plans this season.
It seems, after 18 months of this, that Docherty isn’t one the manager rates.
That’s just the way it is, like it or not.
Not just Docherty.
Thought this lad could be a future Rangers captain, and I had completely forgotten about him till I read this article.our manager obviously doesn't like him, so it's not going to happen anytime soon, so long as we're winning it's not a problem.
Unfortunately Docherty whom I rate very highly will be either loaned or sold in January . It's a pity because I like his attitude and game . There are lots of options before him , personally I'd try him in lesser games in the Ryan Jack slot As we don't have that cover .
As I have said before the manager has his favorites and Docherty is not one Its the OjO Coulson Tavernier situation you dont have to perform that well to get a regular game if your not one of the blue eyes you dont play Katic is another player who suffers because of this it is worrying that the manager is taking this approach and it does nothing for the players morale
I don't see Docherty pushing ahead of his many midfield rivals any time soon. I love his application and commitment though and it would be a shame not to harness that. I think he has all the tools to be converted to a very good attacking right back and a ready made replacement for Tavernier.
Doherty I'm afraid is surplus 2 requirements at Ibrox. Our squad is strong enough in the midfield. Nice lad. Maybe best at Shrewsbury probs
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